Bee-ffloth trap



G. FLETCHER, Sr.

Bee Hive.

Patented March 26, 1850.

5 Phulo-Lilhograpllcn Washington, a. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEO. FLETCHER, SR, OF GREENSBURGH, INDIANA.

BEE-MOTH TRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 7,212, dated March 26, 1850.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE FLEToHER, Sr., of Greensburgh, Decatur county, Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Beehives, which I term a Beehive Cleanser and Protector; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, which are made part of this specification, in which Figure 1, is a perspective view of the hive showing the vane which rotates the roller and its position in reference to the inclined surfaces constituting the bottom of the hive; Fig. 2 is a View of the bottom of the hive, being for the purpose of illustration laid over on its side; Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the roller and the converging surfaces immediately adjacent.

The nature of my invention consists in maln'ng the bottom or floor of the hive of two opposite oblique surfaces-approximat ing two sides of a prismwith a fluted roller revolving in the partial interval between their converging edges, which roller is rotated by the air operating a vane or wind wheel on the outside. This keeps it almost constantly in motion, and as the bee bread, refuse of the hive, droppings and other matters fall to the bottom, they are carried out by the grooves as they come round and fall to the ground, the roller thus serving as a cleaner to the hive, preventing the accumulation of dirt and refuse of the operations of the bees, which is injurious as affording harbor for the miller and likewise a tempta tion to her to enter the hive. This plan obviates the necessity of an opening in the lower part of the hive as is often seen, which affords free ingress and egress to the miller; my plan efiectually provides against this difficulty; to recapitulate, my invention consists in providing an outlet for refuse, which, without constant or more than ordinary attention afiords security against the ingress of intruders.

In the drawings Fig. 1, is a perspective view showing the general contour of the hive; (a) is the exterior of an enlarged chamber for containing honey boxed; (b) the door for the removal of the sa1ne (0) the body of the hive(cl) one of the converging inclined planes forming the bottom(6) the roller, just visible, and having longitudinal grooves (e) (f) the vane or wind. wheel driving the roller. In Figs. 2 and 3 the one being a view of the bottom of the hive and the other a section of the roller and adjacent parts the arrangement is more readily appreciated. The position of the roller (6) and its relation to the inclined bottom is very clear. The method by which it operates, can, after these diagrams are examined, hardly be further elucidated by description. The refuse by its gravity falls into the groove, is carried past the adjacent edge of the inclined bottom, and, as the roller revolves, is discharged; and until the bee-miller is smart enough to lay snugly in the groove until it has passed this rubicon, and then clear her skirts quickly by jumping out, this arrangement must be considered proof against her entrance, and at the same time eflicient for cleansing purposes. The roller can readily be removed for cleaning should it require it.

Having thus fully described the nature, construction and operation of my improved beehive cleaner and protector what I claim therein as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of the fluted roller operated as described, with the moth entrance of the beehive, to act as a moth catcher and killer substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

GEORGE FLETCHER, SR.

Witnesses: EDWARD H. KNIGHT, S. B. SNEDAKER. 

